A New England shortline in O Scale

[Dava]

Grand Lake RR is going to have a characteristic New England covered rail over river bridge on the next section.

 

Somehow I don’t think this Bachmann Plasticville bridge is going to be the one!

Found in Malc’s Models today.

 

[Dava]

This GE 23 ton Boxcab kit arrived today, the last one! Karlgarin models just have the EMD 200 hp double-ender centrecab left. 
http://www.karlgarin.com/2doorsdown.htm

It saves me making one from plasticard. The 25 tonner from the same stable is likely to be built first. I do like small postwar era GE locos.
 

[Boxcab]

I now own that actual loco in the photo. 

I think that I bought it at the Winchester show about 8 years ago. It runs very well but needs some more weight in it to improve its adhesion as it can struggle with a couple of Atlas Master PS 4427 cu ft hoppers.

I am led to believe that this loco was built by Robin Arkinstall (of Impetus kits.)

 

I fitted a Loksound V4 with the Caterpillar engine file for the GE 44 toner & sugar cube speaker in it.

I also have unmade kits for the GE 25 toner and 70 toner that I bought many years ago, I really need to get them built.

They are ideal for minimum space O Scale layouts.

Enjoy your loco.

 

Mike.

[Dava]

Thanks Mike, I bought a 25 tonner kit from Robin at a GOG event a couple of years ago, his last of these kits he said. He had a pair of lovely 70 tonners on display but none for sale. I have a Bachmann Williams 3 rail one for conversion unless a 2 rail one turns up. There are a few of these locos still in shortline service, or were until recently.

 

Cue iconic photo of Claremont & Concord 70 tonner no. 9.

 

 

[F-UnitMad]

One of these Boxcab kits my young friend @the black knight is currently building...

[Dava]

Yes that photo helped motivate me to contact Karlgarin aka Richard McLeish to enquire about & purchase the Boxcab.

I have given up my project to build a plastic 25 tonner, I will build the 2 Doors Down brass one instead, then the Boxcab.

 

At the moment the line needs a small loco quick as Yard Goat to test the track (still being laid), wiring, traverser and generally bat railcars around in DC mode. The brass steam & diesel locos all need work on them and the little K-line  Plymouth is DCC only.

 

So an Atlas Plymouth switcher and MTH boxcar which just needed new trucks (I have a pair which don’t fit anything else) were acquired from Elaine’s Trains. The Plymouth has been subjected to predictable butchery and the result at least runs, is more compact and just needs couplings, repaint and detailing. Similar to Jordan’s but I first did this conversion back in about 2012. It has already found some pointwork it doesn’t like.

 

Edited February 18 by Dava

[Dava]

The main update from Grand Lake RR in recent weeks has been laying & testing the sidings and associated traverser.

this is 1 linear foot or 48 scale ones, providing runround or access to the backroad.

 

Side, end guards & locks yet to be fitted, tested with a range of locos, it’s fine.

Yes, the British loco fleet will have occasional running powers on the line!

 

 

[Dava]

This weekend I laid the track on Grand Lake which will serve the warehouse backs of local businesses. Is this the team track? Anyway, it’s laid and runs nicely with 40ft boxcars. There is a Banta kit which will become 2 warehouse backs.

 

I need a small locking bolt to finish the traverser, small barrel bolts seem to have disappeared so I have to make this from an Allen key, brass tube & sheet.

 

[Night Train]

Do you have a Screwfix nearby?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/smith-locke-straight-barrel-door-bolt-satin-nickel-40mm/430PY?tc=GT4

[Dava]

On 17/03/2024 at 11:20, Night Train said:

Do you have a Screwfix nearby?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/smith-locke-straight-barrel-door-bolt-satin-nickel-40mm/430PY?tc=GT4

Thanks, just too chunky & need a smaller one which used to be available. 

[Dava]

I found a broken wire coat hanger in the wardrobe. Small event but I needed one to make the wire operating handle for the traverser on Grand Lake RR. The traverser still needs its locking bolt and guards to prevent mishaps. Its completion opens up the ‘back road’ accessible from it, an obscure legacy track. This will access a warehouse but also be an isolatable track where DC steam locos can be stored when the line is in DCC mode or vice versa, or be a programming track. There will be some scenic breaks in this area, behind the freight house to conceal the traverser pit.
 

I enjoy following Chris Mears Prince St blog/Fbook on his modelling, located mainly on freight lines in Halifax NS, an area I know. Small observations on progressing modelling projects. 

[Dava]

All the track on the existing sections of Grand Lake RR is down and being tested by the existing locos before remaining ties & ballast are laid. Here #96 is on the back road via the traverser to ensure there will be clearance alongside the warehouse loading ramps, there will be a loco servicing area further along. The warehouse started life on Coxheath Sidings, built in Canada 9 years ago.